Using mobile ECG devices to increase detection of atrial fibrillation across a range of settings in south London

Alex Lang; Faye Edwards; Dominic Norton; Laura Semple; Helen Williams

doi:10.7861/fhj.2019-0033

Using mobile ECG devices to increase detection of atrial fibrillation across a range of settings in south London

Future Healthc J. 2020 Feb;7(1):86-89. doi: 10.7861/fhj.2019-0033.

Authors

Alex Lang¹, Faye Edwards¹, Dominic Norton¹, Laura Semple¹, Helen Williams¹

Affiliation

¹ Health Innovation Network, London, UK.

Abstract

The NHS Long Term Plan aims to transform how we tackle cardiovascular disease by improving the detection and treatment of high-risk conditions. One in five strokes are linked to atrial fibrillation (AF) and it is estimated that 500,000 people in the UK have undiagnosed AF. To increase detection of AF, in 2017 NHS England commissioned the Academic Health Science Networks to procure 6,000 mobile electrocardiography (ECG) devices, which were distributed to community settings across the county. The Health Innovation Network as the Academic Health Science Network for south London was responsible for the distribution of approximately 400 mobile ECG devices to a range of settings. A total of 14,835 pulse rhythm checks were performed, detecting 597 people with possible AF. This project provides insight into effectiveness of a wide range of settings in providing opportunistic testing for AF using mobile ECG devices.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; mobile ECG devices; stroke.

Publication types

Case Reports